The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee is to investigate personal internet security. They are calling on members of the public with direct experience to get in touch.

The Committee claims this is the first in-depth Parliamentary study of the issue.

Lord Broers, chairman of Committee, said: "We are doing more and more online, from our weekly grocery shop to banking to downloading music and video and, increasingly, using the internet to make [a] telephone call. Those who haven't done so are being encouraged to get online - but how many of us know about the risks?"

The Committe will investigate:

• The nature and scale of the security threat to private individuals
• How well the public understand the problem
• What can be done to improve personal internet security and how much does this depend on hardware and software companies
• Whether the regulatory framework for internet services is up to the job
• How well the government is equipped to counter cybercrime and whether it needs more laws to do so.

The Committee is collecting written evidence until 23 October 2006. It will then meet to hear evidence from experts, before preparing a report for government.

For more information on giving evidence, or just on the Committee, go here.®

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